"The Surgeon" re-signs

TORONTO - The Toronto Rock re-signed six-foot-one, 200 lb. defenceman Tim O'Brien today to a multi-year contract. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

In eight regular season games in 2005, O'Brien had 23 penalty minutes with the Rock. Over his 21-game career with Toronto and the now-defunct Albany Attack and New York Saints, O'Brien has one assist, 22 loose balls and 82 penalty minutes.

"Tim's certainly a welcome addition to our club," said head coach/GM Terry Sanderson. "It's no secret. Simply, he gives our offensive guys a little more room and a little more respect in regard in what job we want them to do."

"When Timmy wasn't in the line-up last season, some guys took advantage of our offensive stars," Sanderson added. "He deters some of that action."

O'Brien, aptly nicknamed "The Surgeon," is considered the toughest player in the league and is the reigning "Fight Club" champion, according to the Web site www.laxmag.com.

O'Brien also plays with the Brampton Excelsiors in the OLA Major Series summer league. In 11 games with Brampton, O'Brien had five points (2 goals and 3 assists) and 32 penalty minutes. He was acquired by the Rock in March 2004 in a trade with the San Jose Stealth for forward Josh Bergey.

The Rock are now focussing on the 2005 NLL Entry Draft in Edmonton on Monday Aug. 29.

"When Timmy wasn't in the line-up last season, some guys took advantage of our offensive stars. He deters some of that action."